Cause of Death: Distraction

As I pull over, my proctor informs me, “You passed!” Like most teenagers, I was ecstatic; this was my first taste of freedom. However, as I sat in the driver’s seat with no mentor by my side for the first time, the responsibility I had long awaited for had a heavy weight on my shoulders. Just as I felt like my life finally began, I remembered that a small mistake can end someone else’s. This realization is essential for all drivers in order to have a concrete understanding of how to prevent fatalities by practicing mindful driving.

When I finally possessed the coveted license, my friends started to gain their driving privilege as well. But their approach to the roads starkly contrasted mine. During one particular drive with my best friend, I clutched the handle above me as my body was pushed against the seat from the tremendous force of a speed of 90 MPH. I glanced out the window and saw only a blur; it felt like we were in a spaceship. “Slow down!” I hollered, fearing for my life. Pressing on the brake, she informed me that she got momentarily distracted and was unaware of her dangerous speed. As the speedometer receded, I felt a wave of relief knowing that I took the responsibility of advising my friend.

This situation could have turned grim if I did not assume my role as an accountable passenger. My friend did not know the indications of an impaired mindset. The night before, she stayed up late studying and did not get adequate rest. Fatigue along with anxious thoughts made for a combination that caused her attention to be diverted. This experience prompted me to analyze my well being better and have conversations with my passengers to identify if I am unsuitable to drive, like having extreme emotional states, fatigue, or poor health. It is important that students are informed about potential circumstances that would make one unfit to drive and how to identify them.

In order to minimize risks, it is imperative that good habits are consistently practiced through persistent reinforcement. It is vital that drivers ed informs students on how to actively reduce distractions as they occur, as distracted driving is the #1 cause of accidents. Fatigue can be combated with fresh air or listening to music and managing extreme emotions with deep breathing can also be helpful when controlling stress or anger. Eyes should be kept on the road at all times; put distractions like phones out of sight and plan directions ahead of times. The quality of drivers ed plays a pivotal role in emphasizing the seriousness of the consequences of distracted driving in order to diminish vehicular deaths that can be easily prevented. In the end, the actions of one driver affect the lives of many. As Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”